DVLA Questioning Provenance
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2015 4:05 pm
Just picked up this from the Jag E-type forum and the weekly UK classic car papers:
DVLA is questioning the provenance of (at the moment) some Bugatti's registered in the UK. THey have sent out the following letter, and have been in discussions with the owners club (Bugatti) and the Federation of historic vehicle clubs...
Dear [name]
Vehicle registration [XXX XXX]
I am writing to you as our records show you are the keeper of a[sic] 'Historic' vehicle. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency have been made aware that the recorded date of manufacture for a number of vehicles may not be accurate. Initial investigations have confirmed that some historic vehicles have been built using replica/replacement parts or a mixture of period and new components and have therefore been incorrectly registered. A period manufacture date has been recorded in error and the registration number allocated based on this date.
I hope you will appreciate that DVLA has a legal responsibility in ensuring that our records are accurate. This letter aims to provide you with advice and guidance on how DVLA will look to resolve this matter. DVLA require information about the provenance, construction and origin of your vehicle. You should provide as much information about your vehicle as you can. This could include:
Copies of receipts
Old documents such as log books
Copies of historical race sheets or reports
Recent / historical photographs
Copies of old sale advertisements
Extracts from books
We also require information on the age and origin of major components your vehicle comprises of, such as chassis, engine, axles, and steering assembly. You should also advise if the vehicle has been rebuilt, restored or entirely constructed in the last 25 years. The relevant owners club may be able to assist. The information should be send to:
Vehicle Registration Policy.
Strategy, Policy and Communications Directorate
D16
[DVLA address]
Using this information, together with the documentation that was provided at first registration, we will assess whether a historical classification is appropriate for your vehicle and if the date of manufacture is correct. If the vehicle has been recently built using a new or replica chassis, it is likely the DVLA records will be incorrect. You should be aware that we may contact the relevant owners club to help with our investigations.
Once investigations are complete, we will write to you again explaining our conclusions. If any amendments are needed to the information DVLA holds on the vehicle record, these will be made and a new vehicle registration certificate issued. This could involve the issue of a different registration number. In addition, in some cases individual vehicle approval may be required and/or a Q registration number may be appropriate.
Please be aware that while these investigations are ongoing, applications to notify a change of vehicle keeper will not be processed.
Yours etc.
Now I know that the Elan chassis is a 'subframe' in the DVLA eyes, but it would be worth us keeping an eye on this; but does anyone want to raise the issue with DVLA? I certainly don't, and I don't know if Club Lotus is doing anything about it.
Matt
DVLA is questioning the provenance of (at the moment) some Bugatti's registered in the UK. THey have sent out the following letter, and have been in discussions with the owners club (Bugatti) and the Federation of historic vehicle clubs...
Dear [name]
Vehicle registration [XXX XXX]
I am writing to you as our records show you are the keeper of a[sic] 'Historic' vehicle. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency have been made aware that the recorded date of manufacture for a number of vehicles may not be accurate. Initial investigations have confirmed that some historic vehicles have been built using replica/replacement parts or a mixture of period and new components and have therefore been incorrectly registered. A period manufacture date has been recorded in error and the registration number allocated based on this date.
I hope you will appreciate that DVLA has a legal responsibility in ensuring that our records are accurate. This letter aims to provide you with advice and guidance on how DVLA will look to resolve this matter. DVLA require information about the provenance, construction and origin of your vehicle. You should provide as much information about your vehicle as you can. This could include:
Copies of receipts
Old documents such as log books
Copies of historical race sheets or reports
Recent / historical photographs
Copies of old sale advertisements
Extracts from books
We also require information on the age and origin of major components your vehicle comprises of, such as chassis, engine, axles, and steering assembly. You should also advise if the vehicle has been rebuilt, restored or entirely constructed in the last 25 years. The relevant owners club may be able to assist. The information should be send to:
Vehicle Registration Policy.
Strategy, Policy and Communications Directorate
D16
[DVLA address]
Using this information, together with the documentation that was provided at first registration, we will assess whether a historical classification is appropriate for your vehicle and if the date of manufacture is correct. If the vehicle has been recently built using a new or replica chassis, it is likely the DVLA records will be incorrect. You should be aware that we may contact the relevant owners club to help with our investigations.
Once investigations are complete, we will write to you again explaining our conclusions. If any amendments are needed to the information DVLA holds on the vehicle record, these will be made and a new vehicle registration certificate issued. This could involve the issue of a different registration number. In addition, in some cases individual vehicle approval may be required and/or a Q registration number may be appropriate.
Please be aware that while these investigations are ongoing, applications to notify a change of vehicle keeper will not be processed.
Yours etc.
Now I know that the Elan chassis is a 'subframe' in the DVLA eyes, but it would be worth us keeping an eye on this; but does anyone want to raise the issue with DVLA? I certainly don't, and I don't know if Club Lotus is doing anything about it.
Matt